Locating reading material and various forms of media in cavernous libraries, like Boston’s, the traditional way can seem rather daunting (we admit, there are worse tasks). We live in the Digital Age, after all, where we’re so used to Google searches that the Dewey Decimal System might as well be a foreign language.
Lucky for us, the Boston Public Library is keeping up with the times. The Library announced Wednesday that it is now offering a free streaming service that gives cardholders access to its collection of thousands of movies, television shows, music and audiobooks to be used on various smartphones, laptops and tablets.
All you need is a BPL library card and you can download ten titles monthly at your own discretion. The service will even initiate an automatic return so you won’t have to worry about pesky late fees.
The idea behind streaming the BPL’s goodies is to give Bostonians what they want. Cardholders were surveyed, and their voices were heard.
“When we surveyed our users earlier this year, access to streaming content was the top-requested new service,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, in a statement. “Free digital streaming is an excellent addition to Boston Public Library’s growing online collection, and it is available twenty-four hours a day.”
BostInno reached out directly to the BPL, and Senior Public Relations Associate Rosemary Lavery told us that it’s also a means of bolstering membership and spreading the word that any Bay State resident is permitted to sign up for access to the BPL’s innumerable resources.
“We hope this encourages people to sign up for a library card, and for existing users to try it. Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts can have a library card,” Rosemary told BostInno in an email. “The service is free and can be used anywhere. We also have additional digital resources: digital magazines, a mobile catalog, e-books, digitized images from the library’s collection, and a range of career, research, and genealogical databases.”
All one needs to access the service is a stable internet connection and a BPL library card. Simply visit the BPL’s webpage, log-in with your library card and create a Hoopla account. A mobile app is available for those who frequent smartphones and tablets for streaming.
And there you have it, a wealth of knowledge and entertainment at your viewing pleasure. Need to kill some time while you’re waiting for a friend or an appointment? Looking to calm your brain after a serious study session? Trying to learn? Come on down to the BPL.
If you give it a try, be sure to let us know in the comments section below how well the service works for you.
Happy viewing!
